Shaw’s brief paired livability with real sailing ability. Period reviewers and Pearson’s own literature describe the result as a balance of cruising comfort and performance.
Design and Construction
The 385 measures roughly 38 feet 4 inches overall, with a 30-foot waterline and 11 feet 7 inches of beam. With a displacement near 10 tons, she sits comfortably within the moderate-displacement cruising spectrum.
Pearson conceived the boat around a center-cockpit layout, a decision that shapes both the deck and accommodations. The amidships helm provides a commanding view in all directions. Because the cockpit is close to the galley and navigation station, conversation between them needs little more than a whisper.
The owner’s and guest staterooms occupy opposite ends of the hull, while the galley and main saloon fill the middle. This separation provides maximum privacy and excellent flexibility for two couples. Since the same hull was used for the aft-cockpit 386, the 385’s distinctive character comes from its central helm and the interior’s longitudinal zoning rather than from a unique underbody.
Rig, Underbody, and Handling
The standard rig was a sloop, though Pearson offered an optional cutter. The sail plan was proportioned to balance light- and heavy-air performance while remaining manageable for a small crew.
Below the waterline, the 385 has a shoal fin keel and skeg-hung rudder. This combination makes her a delight to sail and remarkably maneuverable under power. Many examples also carry centerboards in addition to the shoal fin.
One owner reports sailing at 7 to 8 knots in roughly 20 knots of apparent wind, with the breeze 30 to 40 degrees off the bow. The same owner concedes that the boat doesn’t point well, attributing this to an in-mast roller-furling mainsail and a mainsheet system without a traveler. That caveat applies to a specific rig configuration rather than to the hull itself.
Accommodations
The three-cabin, two-head arrangement gives guests a forward V-berth cabin with its own head. The aft cabin contains a double berth set across the beam, along with a head and separate shower stall. This layout provides useful privacy for two couples.
In the saloon, a teak drop-leaf table between the settees seats six adults. Teak bulkheads and cabinets, together with a teak-and-holly sole, create a warm, inviting interior. Ventilation is generous: seven deck hatches and 16 opening ports draw air through the boat.
The galley includes a propane three-burner stove and oven, a refrigerator/freezer, a microwave, and ample counter space and stowage. Tankage consists of 170 gallons of water and 45 gallons of diesel. Along with her near-10-ton displacement and storage-rich interior, these capacities set the 385 up for extended two-couple cruising rather than Spartan coastal hopping.
Known Issues and Ownership
No structural or systemic defects appear in the available record for this model. The main handling concern is the owner-reported poor pointing with an in-mast furling mainsail and travelerless mainsheet. A buyer should weigh that report against boats with the standard or cutter rig and conventional controls.
With fewer than 45 built, the 385 remains a niche model, and the used pool is small. Owners report a well-ventilated, storage-rich interior whose teak trim ages gracefully, suggesting that cosmetic refreshing, rather than structural rebuilding, is the usual ownership project.
The Verdict
The Pearson 385 is a thoughtfully arranged center-cockpit cruiser. In some rig configurations, she trades outright pointing ability for privacy, ventilation, and easy handling by a short crew. Shaw’s hull, shared with the 386, is sound and maneuverable, while the accommodations remain genuinely suited to two couples.
Pros
- Center-cockpit layout with excellent sightlines and easy communication with the galley and navigation station
- Three-cabin, two-head plan with strong privacy for two couples
- Shoal fin keel and skeg-hung rudder make her maneuverable under power and pleasant to sail
- Generous ventilation through seven deck hatches and 16 opening ports
Cons
- According to one owner, she doesn’t point well with an in-mast furling mainsail and travelerless mainsheet
- Fewer than 45 were built, so the used pool is small
